Heroes’ Sylar To Play Spock?

In the first piece of solid news to come out of J.J. Abrams’ upcoming Star Trek production, it’s being reported that actor Zachary Quinto is in the final stages of negotiations to play the legendary role of Spock. As fans of the hit NBC series Heroes will be well aware, Quinto recently starred as Sylar, though he has also featured in roles on 24, CSI and Six Feet Under.

Following months of rumor and hearsay, the news comes just weeks after it was announced that Leonard Nimoy – who played the role of Spock from 1966 to 1991 – would be appearing in a cameo role in the new film.

So, will flashbacks play a role in the story? How will diehard fans respond to the re-casting of an original Star Trek icon? Will the news succeed in attracting new fans to a franchise now into its fifth decade? With Star Trek XI to feature at this weekend’s San Diego Comic-Con, answers may not be too far away.

Now, I’ve got to be honest here: unless it involves the Borg, I completely and utterly despise the Star Trek franchise. I can’t put my finger on it but, as a child, I was surrounded by a family of Trekkies – my Dad, most of all – and I just never ‘got it’. Everything from the time travel to the aliens with interchangeable forehead bumps to the holodeck just bugged me. Then again, I’ve never been a big fan of pure science fiction anyway. I like fantasy sci-fi adventures like Star Wars and superhero flicks. Leave the verbose explanations at the door, please. The thing is, this J.J. Abrams and Damon Lindelof reboot has me intrigued. I love Lost, for starters and pretty much idolise Lindelof – so add that to my passing knowledge of Trek and I’m willing to let bygones be bygones and give it a go.

How the hardcore purists will take it is another deal entirely.

As for Quinto in the role, I like it. From what I’ve seen in Heroes, he’s definitely got an appealing quality to him and certainly looks a little like a Vulcan. Besides, he’s a crap load better choice than Ben Affleck – who was rumored to star as Spock alongside Matt Damon’s Kirk.

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Kane,
I totally agree with your take on growing up with Star Trek, it just never grabbed me. Okay, Wrath of Kahn was actually pretty good, but the rest I could take or leave. I hope JJ does well with this, I found Mission Impossible 3 to be blah. I have always found Star Wars more enjoyable and even though I am not a trekkie, I hope their prequel is a lot better than my Star Wars ones.

I am 59 years old and a long time fan of Star Trek. When Star Trek Started I was just coming out of high school so I watched it from the beginning. As a long time fan I really wanted to see a movie beyond Voyager. I was hoping for some type of merge with characters from Voyager and TNG. Well beyond that disappointment there is a greater disappointment for me. How could Abrams cast someone as creepy and villainous as Sylar to play our beloved Spock. Zachary Quinto is obviously great as Sylar which makes him the worst choice for Spock. After 40 years of watching Star Trek I may not be able to watch this one.

But Zachary Quinto is an excellent actor; therefore able to adapt to the role of Spock? Honestly, don’t be critical – you never know, Zachary will most likely be excellent as Spock – but if you continue to see him through your own, somewhat negative opinion, I guess you’ll still see him as dissapointing.

I’m truly sorry that you seem to misunderstand me. It’s because I think Zachary Quinto is an excellent actor he to me will be Sylar. Whenever I’ve seen him on the screen be it interviews or whatever, be it with or without Vulcan ears, he is Sylar. I really don’t see myself as being negative, I have never been that, maybe just too much into Heroes. I don’t see Zachary Quinto as a dissapointment, I see casting him as Spock as a dissapointment. What may seem unusual is that of the many people I know that have followed Heroes and also love Star Trek are of the same opinion.

Oh! I apologise for misunderstanding you. I guess that’s how certain actors stick in our memories, for example, in a few years time when we see Masi Oka in a leading film, to us he’ll still be the loveable man who can bend time and space. I see what you mean now. Sorry!